Staff Bio's

Rev Ray Nelson-Senior Minister

Rev Ray is 2011 graduate of the Unity Institute and Seminary and was licensed and ordained by Unity Worldwide Ministries in June 2011. Currently, Rev Ray is Senior Minister at Unity of Louisville where he assumed his duties July 1, 2013. In addition, Rev Ray is the internship coordinator and student adviser for the UWSI ministerial program. Rev Ray previously served as Associate Minister of Unity Christ Church in Golden Valley MN from July 2011 to July 2013. While at school Rev Ray served as Youth Education Director of Unity of Independence MO from 2009 to 2011 and as a prayer associate for Silent Unity. In addition to Unity Institute, Rev Ray has a Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities with a concentration in pastoral care and counseling and a degree in Political Science from Northern Illinois University. Rev Ray is a Board member and serves on the Executive team as secretary for the House of Ruth a non-profit organization that provide housing and services to homeless individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Rev Ray currently serves as the President of the Unity Great Lakes Region.

Rev. Ray’s personal vision is: “Centered in God I live, teach, and preach a gospel of unconditional love and acceptance” and his mission is "I am a leading voice in New Thought inspiring personal healing and transformation in an often broken world."Ray truly has an ecumenical heart and strives to build bridges of commonality rather than focus on the distinctions of difference. Rev. Ray draws freely upon his own personal life journey to assist others on their spiritual path. Rev Ray journey includes a complete healing from a life-threatening heart condition and 26 years of recovery from substance abuse. Transformation is not a theory but a lived experience for Rev. Ray which he joyfully and passionately shares. Rev. Ray believes we are spiritual beings having a human experience and our work is to align the human experience with the Divine truth of who we truly are.

Rev Ray has been married to his beautiful wife Robin since 2001. They have two cats and recently purchased a home in the Afterglow neighborhood of SW Louisville... Rev Ray enjoys a good book, the arts, theater, music, eating out, and spending time with friends.

Rev. Valerie Mansfield, Associate Minister

Rev. Valerie is a life-long Unity Truth Student and was ordained in 2013 as a Unity Minister who delivers exciting, relevant life Sunday lessons on Universal Principles and Spirituality. She has served in ministry at Unity of Louisville since 2001 as the Youth & Family Director, Adult Education Coordinator and Associate Minister. Rev. She specializes in Youth and Family Ministry, Valerie is a Spiritual Consultant engaged in practical, positive life coaching for adults and youth. Rev. Valerie leads classes and workshops based on Universal Truth Principles as well as peacemaking, positive parenting, personal transformation and healing for adults and youth.

Rev. Valerie is the Co-Director of the Resilient Family Program along with Dr. Lora Haynes and Dr. Barbara Burns, a joint venture between the University of Louisville, Wayside Christian Mission and Santa Clarie University. The Resilient Families Program provides educational experiences to strengthen families, promote resilience and wellness for children and parents. This project and its programs serve the residents Wayside Christian Mission in Louisville, KY and various community centers in Santa Clarie, CA. Rev. Valerie works directly with adults who are homeless and/or in recovery through creating opportunities to build conscious living skills.

Rev. Valerie lives with husband Bruce and their pet, Daisy Mae. Together they have a family of four children and seven grandchildren.

Rev. Gwen Moser, Ministerial Intern and Director of Sacred Services

Gwen Moser is retired from a career as a teacher, counselor in the Greater Clark County Schools, having served at Jeffersonville High School and River Valley Middle school. Prior to her service in the public schools she was a juvenile probation officer and Assistant Director of Regional Youth Services (Jeffersonville, IN) Gwen completed the Licensed Unity Teacher program and has volunteers as a teacher or speaker at Unity churches. In May, 2016 Gwen graduated from the Unity Urban Ministerial School (Detroit, MI). Presently she is serving her internship at Unity of Louisville. Additionally, Gwen is a volunteer with Hosparus, serving at the in-patient unit. Gwen serves as the Sacred Service Coordinator. At Unity of Louisville.

Tobby Spalding, Business Administrator

Tobby Spalding has been a member at Unity of Louisville since 2002 and assumed the position of Business Administrator in November 2015. She has held positions with several area non-profits since her return to Louisville in 2002, which followed a long career with AT&T in Atlanta. Tobby is also active with the local Tibetan Buddhist Center (Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion), calling it her “Wednesday evening church” and Unity of Louisville her “Sunday morning church”. She has served Unity of Louisville as a Prayer Chaplain and volunteered in various capacities over the years.

Dotti Russell, Youth and Family Coordinator

Dotti is a committed Unity Truth Student since 1991, who believes “children learn what they live”. She gives her best efforts in creating and delivering Sunday lessons on Universal Principles and Spirituality as she serves our Youth and Family Ministry.

Dotti is a semi-retired Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) engaged in encouraging adults and youth in their search-of-self, through art. Dotti has a strong connection to the Unity way of life and has worn many hats. That includes Pre School teacher, Head Start Teacher, Girl Scout Leader, Girl Scout Trainer, and Girl Scout Adult Education Specialist. Dotti has provided therapeutic art experiences to promote well-being and a sense of connection, to children and parents experiencing homelessness, families; in their own homes, and nursing homes, refugee centers, assisted living and geriatric centers.

Dotti and her husband, John met at Unity of Louisville and were joyously married here in June, 1998. Together they have a family of: six grown children and their spouses, twelve grandchildren, and two great grandchildren!